Experts Recommend These 9 Knee Braces to Relieve Pain and Protect Against Injury

Whether you’re recovering from a knee injury, dealing with aches and pains, or just looking for extra stability during your workouts, a knee brace can help provide the support you need. “A knee brace supports the knee joint and helps keep it stable,” says Gbolahan Okubadejo, MD, a spinal and orthopedic surgeon in the New York City area. “Some braces limit motion to protect healing ligaments or bones. Others provide compression to reduce swelling and improve blood flow.” All of this can help ease knee pain, support recovery, and prevent further injury.

But shopping for a knee brace can be overwhelming. The options are seemingly endless, ranging from basic drugstore compression sleeves to custom-made hinged braces. So we talked to physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons, and sports medicine specialists to find out how to choose the best one. Here are our picks for the best knee braces.

• Best for all-day wear: Shock Doctor Knee Compression Sleeve With Open Patella
• Best for light support: Copper Fit Freedom Knee Sleeve
• Best stabilizing knee brace: McDavid VOW Versatile Over Wrap
• Best for walkers: DonJoy Advantage Deluxe Elastic Knee Sleeve
• Best for intense workouts: DonJoy Performance Bionic Knee Brace
• Best unloader brace for arthritis: DonJoy OA FullForce Knee Brace
• Best patella strap: Actimove Patella Strap
• Best drugstore knee brace: Futrero Performance Knee Support
• Best custom knee brace: DonJoy Defiance III

We went to the pros to find out which knee braces are best suited for pain relief, injury prevention, and recovery, along with the most important materials and features to look for. These medical experts included:

• Gbolahan Okubadejo, MD, a New York City–area spinal and orthopedic surgeon
• Maren Butcher, PT, DPT, an Arizona-based physical therapist
• Natasha Trentacosta, MD, a sports medicine specialist and orthopedic surgeon in Los Angeles
• Milica McDowell, PT, DPT, a Montana-based physical therapist
• Jonathan Shaw, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon in West Palm Beach, Florida

When you’re shopping for a knee brace, the first step is to decide what style you need. There are a few different types of knee braces, and each one offers unique benefits based on its design, materials, and features.

• Compression braces: These stretchy sleeves slide over the knee to reduce swelling and provide support. “Additionally, a compressive brace offers increased somatosensory feedback, increasing the body’s awareness of the knee joint,” says Butcher. Research suggests that this type of awareness plays a key role in injury prevention.

  [6]

• Unloader braces: “An unloader brace is designed to relieve pressure on one side of the knee,” says Okubadejo. This style of brace uses leverage to shift weight away from the painful part of your knee, which can be a game-changer for relieving knee pain caused by arthritis.
• Stabilizing braces: These feature wraparound Velcro straps that can be adjusted for targeted support. “This type of brace is useful for mild to moderate ligament injuries or general knee weakness,” explains Okubadejo.
• Hinged braces: A hinged brace offers more substantial support after a surgery, sprain, or tear. “Consider a hinged knee brace with a range of motion dial,” Butcher says.
• Patellar straps: This minimalist knee brace is worn just below the kneecap. “It works by applying pressure to the patellar tendon, which can ease strain and improve movement,” Okubadejo says. “Many people with jumper’s knee (patellar tendonitis) use it during sports or workouts.”
• Semi-custom and custom braces: Custom-fitted knee braces are designed to accommodate your height, weight, thigh circumference, and calf size for a more specific fit, McDowell says. They’re more expensive than off-the-shelf braces, but they may be the best option if you need maximum support.

Knee braces can help with a variety of knee problems by providing support, stability, and compression. Here are some of the most common reasons you may find yourself shopping for a knee brace.

Instability or weakness: If you’ve ever felt like your knee might “give out” during a workout, knee braces can help you feel more secure in your movements and safeguard against injuries. “Knee braces can help prevent strains, sprains, and overuse injuries by providing added stability and support during physical activity,” Okubadejo says. “They help keep the joint aligned and limit excessive movement that can lead to injury. Even if you’re not experiencing pain, wearing a brace during high-impact activities can reduce the risk of injury by reinforcing the joint.”

Minor injuries: If you’re healing from a minor sprain or tear, a knee brace can stabilize your knee and help reduce your risk of reinjury, Okubadejo explains. For an overuse injury like iliotibial band syndrome or patellar tendonitis, a knee brace can also improve alignment and limit excessive movement, which can lessen wear and tear on your knee.

Swelling and inflammation: “Knee braces or sleeves that provide compression to the knee joint can help with swelling and inflammation,” says Natasha Trentacosta, MD, a sports medicine specialist and orthopedic surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics in Los Angeles, California. “Compression from the brace can provide pain relief through its activation of sensory nerves, which in turn negate pain receptor nerve signals.”

Arthritis: “Osteoarthritis, often called ‘wear and tear’ arthritis, is a common joint condition where the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones gradually breaks down,” says Jonathan Shaw, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in knees and hips at the Palm Beach Orthopaedic Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida. Compression sleeves can help to relieve swelling caused by arthritis, while stabilizer braces and hinged braces can help with knee instability. If arthritis pain is localized on one side of the knee or the other, an unloader brace can help relieve pain by shifting weight to the “good” side.

Post-surgery recovery: “If you’ve had a surgery, most doctors have specific post-operative braces that they will have you wear for a specific number of weeks as you’re working through the rehabilitation process,” McDowell says. Typically, you’ll start with an immobilizer brace, then switch to a functional brace that allows for more movement.